L Monen1, T H Hasaart2, S M Kuppens2. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Catharina Hospital Eindhoven, the Netherlands; Department of Medical Health Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands. Electronic address: Loes.monen@catharinaziekenhuis.nl. 2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Catharina Hospital Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Despite the many efforts to study the (patho)physiology of meconium release before delivery, it still remains an indistinct subject. Some studies have reported a relationship between hypoxia and MSAF, whilst others have not. The most common association found however, is between MSAF and the term of gestation. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane library were electronically searched. Papers about the (patho)physiology of meconium-stained amniotic fluid in English were included. Papers about management strategies were excluded (see elsewhere this issue). RESULTS: Different theories have been proposed including acute or chronic hypoxia, physiologic foetal ripening and peripartum infection. CONCLUSION: We suggest that meconium-stained amniotic fluid should be regarded as a symptom rather than a syndrome becoming more prevalent with increasing term and which might be associated with higher levels of infection or asphyxia.
INTRODUCTION: Despite the many efforts to study the (patho)physiology of meconium release before delivery, it still remains an indistinct subject. Some studies have reported a relationship between hypoxia and MSAF, whilst others have not. The most common association found however, is between MSAF and the term of gestation. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane library were electronically searched. Papers about the (patho)physiology of meconium-stained amniotic fluid in English were included. Papers about management strategies were excluded (see elsewhere this issue). RESULTS: Different theories have been proposed including acute or chronic hypoxia, physiologic foetal ripening and peripartum infection. CONCLUSION: We suggest that meconium-stained amniotic fluid should be regarded as a symptom rather than a syndrome becoming more prevalent with increasing term and which might be associated with higher levels of infection or asphyxia.